FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT STEELHEAD - PAGE 5

Drought is "part of the natural cycle of life," said St. Joseph County Parks naturalist Evie Kirkwood. And it has advantages. The drought has been killing the invasive Asian carp in the Wabash River as the fish congregate in backwater areas that are drying up, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. And there's good fishing for steelhead in Lake Michigan as the fish gather near the shore, hesitant to swim into warmer-than-normal streams, the DNR also reported.

The weather has flipped on the switch for migrating trout and salmon as the St. Joseph River has come alive with big fish on the move. "I haven't heard anyone call it a 'run' yet, but it's certainly the beginning of one," offered Bryan Williams of the Trailhead Mercantile in Niles. "That rain has got 'em cookin'. We're getting good reports from Berrien Springs to the Pucker Street dam. " Ditto for Indiana waters. Dick Parker of Central Park Bait in Mishawaka said trout/salmon sales have been brisk and some anglers are doing well.

That's the question of the month for anglers who have waited impatiently for the big push of trout and salmon into Indiana waters of the St. Joseph River. I mean, we've got fish. Guys are catching them. But nothing what we expected. As of mid-week, this fall's run ranks as the third worst in the 15 years the fish have been coming to South Bend. Through Sept. 27 - the last time South Bend fish ladder tapes were recorded - only 599 steelhead, 44 coho, 91 kings and 1 brown trout had wiggled through the ladder.

Those hints of ice fishing season have been stifled by rising temperatures, but the warm-up has only invigorated river steelhead and walleye fishermen. Several southwest Michigan lakes were ice covered by mid-week but none are said to be safe. Successive days of 40 degree temperatures aren't going to make it any better. However, winter steelheading has been on fire throughout the St. Joseph River. "Best season we've had for steelhead fishing in five years," said Dick Parker of Central Park Bait and Tackle in Mishawaka.

Steelhead, big bucks and waterfowl are providing Michiana outdoorsmen a good fall season, according to reports coming from area sporting goods shops. Indiana's trout and salmon numbers continue to climb, although fluctuating water this week has hampered fishing. Bodine Hatchery Manager Dave Meuninck said another 160 fish -- mostly steelhead -- passed through the South Bend ladder last week. Some 2,250 steelhead, 240 kings, 740 coho and 14 browns have made this Indiana's best fall run in three years.

If you're headed out for Saturday's deer gun season opener, take time to review safety measures. They could save you or a hunting partner from a tragedy. "These tips form a basic foundation for good firearms safety," said public information officer J.P. Salb. "When hunters practice these tips, they increase their chances significantly for an accident free hunt. " Salb encourages people who hunt from elevated stands or platforms to use safety harnesses. Falls from elevated stands or platforms have been the leading cause of hunting accidents.

If you want more than ugly neckties, boxer shorts adorned with hearts, or another bottle of Old Spice come Christmas morning, carefully plant this column where your loved ones can see it. Santa recruited me as his helper and asked a few Michiana retailers to help create a list that might ease the pain of loved ones while shopping for sportsmen. Together, maybe we can help Santa put a smile on your face Christmas Day. Everyone knows a gift certificate is an instant hit. That's a good idea, but why not do that AND surprise your favorite sportsman with something he can put his hands on Christmas morning?

Hoosier trout and salmon anglers received some good news in the wake of another poor steelhead return to the St. Joseph River this fall. You're getting more coho this year. Well, not in the sense of catchable coho, but a surplus coho stocking that will contribute to next year's fall run and moreso in 2012. The Indiana DNR announced it will stock 11,000, 6-inchers at Memorial Park later this month. A portion of the one-year-olds may return next fall as smaller "jacks" but most will likely contribute to the 2012 fishery.

Proposed legislation that would restrict waterfowl hunting on Indiana rivers will be discussed Monday when the Natural Resources Study Committee meets near Chesterton, Ind. The public meeting will be held at the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center. The waterfowl issue is scheduled as the last item on the agenda Monday, but may be heard earlier. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. (CDT). The Study Committee will discuss the proposal and hear comments from the public. Information gathered at these meetings often determines the fate of such legislation when the General Assembly convenes.

If you're frustrated because you're not seeing any quality bucks on your hunting grounds, think about what happened to Craig DeVliegher last week. The South Bend hunter battled those same emotions when a monster 14-point suddenly appeared before him on private land he hunted near Lakeville. DeVliegher had never seen any big bucks on the trail cameras he had set up on the property or around his tree stand during gun season. "I considered giving up since I never saw a deer in my last three sits," he said.